Posted by Social media reveals a realtor’s true colors before you sign. Here’s how to spot authentic experts and not just pretty filters. I’ll never forget the first time I fell for a realtor’s Instagram feed. Every photo was golden-hour shots of modern farmhouses with pristine countertops. Then I met her in person and realized she’d never actually sold a home in my budget. That’s when I learned social media isn’t just a highlight reel; it’s the ultimate background check if you know how to read between the filters.
Why Your Next Realtor Should Come From Your Feed
Gone are the days of choosing agents from generic brochures or a friend’s cousin who “does real estate sometimes.” Social media lets you see how an agent operates when they’re not pitching you directly. Are they educating followers about zoning changes? Calling out overpriced listings? Or just posting the same staged living room with different hashtags? I once avoided a slick-talking agent because his Twitter replies were full of arguments with clients, it turns out he had a reputation for ghosting buyers after closing.
The Good, The Bad, and The Overly Filtered
Facebook’s neighborhood groups are where the real gems hide. My current realtor? I found her ranting about misleading square footage claims in a local group, backing it up with tax records. Instagram’s great for aesthetic vibes, but beware of agents who only showcase million-dollar lofts when you’re looking for a duplex. LinkedIn’s the quiet MVP for verifying licenses and reading unfiltered client endorsements. And TikTok, well, let’s just say any agent doing interpretive dances in front of listings might prioritize virality over your closing timeline.
When Pretty Posts Hide Ugly Truths
A high follower count means nothing if every comment is from bots. One agent I interviewed had a YouTube channel full of “client testimonials” that were clearly his college buddies reading scripts. The best litmus test? Ask a hyper-local question in their DMs. When I messaged an agent about flood zones in a specific subdivision, his three-paragraph voice note reply, complete with historic rainfall data told me more than any brochure could.
The Unconventional Test That Screens Out Duds
Before signing anything, I demand a quick video call. Not to discuss contracts but just to see if they can troubleshoot basic tech. An agent who can’t figure out screen sharing won’t magically become organized during your inspection period. The winner in my last search? She sent a Loom video walking through my must-haves list before we even met, with Zillow tabs open in the background.
The Real Metric No One’s Talking About
Check their “likes” and shares. An agent who engages with local inspectors, mortgage brokers, and even competing realtors usually has the connections to grease the wheels when deals get sticky. The guy I almost hired? His entire feed was just his own listings. The woman I chose? Her retweets were full of contractor referrals and first-time buyer tax credit updates.
At the end of the day, social media strips away the polished veneer. You’re not just seeing their marketing, you’re seeing how they handle criticism, how they treat curious strangers in their DMs, and whether they’re still using that cringe “Home Selling Guru” bio from 2016. And that’s the kind of intel no open house can give you.
References
FM Insurance. (2024, March 14). 10 tips to protect yourself from social media scams.
Hoole, M. (2024, April 15). How to avoid Facebook phishing scams in real estate. Hoole.co.
University of Toronto Community Safety. (n.d.). Social media safety and fraud prevention.
National Association of Realtors. (n.d.). The safety series: How to educate clients about real estate scams.